Belt, apron, canvas, or conveyer tightener.



PATENTED JUNE 11, 1907i G. B. CLARKE.

BELT, APRON, CANVAS, .OR GONVEYER TIGHTENER. APPLICATION mum 3.28. 1906.

1! non: rlillu Ca. vumml, n. c.

GEORGE EDGAR CLARKE, OF TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA.

BELT, APRON, CANVAS, OR CONVEYER TIGHTENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 11, 1907.

Application filed April 28,1906. Serial No. 314,306.

To (ti/Z whom it puny concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE EDGAR CLARKE, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing in the city of Toronto, in the county of York, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Belt, Apron, Canvas, or Conveyer Tighteners, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in belt, apron, canvas, or conveyer tighteners, and the objects of my invention are, firstly to take up the slackness in belts, aprons, canvas, or conveyers, particularly in connection with binder machines, so that the grain Will not be disordered in its passage through the machine, and so prevent an ill-shaped bundle, and secondly to prevent the binding of the rollers around which the apron, canvas, belt or conveyer passes and thus prevent the incurring of heavy draft by automatically permitting of the necessary expansion of said apron, canvas, conveyer, or belt, and it broadly consists in combining with a canvas, apron, conveyer, or belt novel means circulating therewith and operating so as to automatically take up the slack therein or permit of the necessary expansion thereof.

In my preferred form of invention I construct same by dividing the apron, belt, canvas, or conveyer, and combining therewith means for yieldingly connecting the said ends together in such a manner as to automatically take up the slack therein, or permit of the necessary expansion thereof, as hereinafter more particularly explained.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of portion of a binder machine, showing my preferred form of invention adapted to use therewith.

Fig. 2 is,in part, an enlarged horizontal crosssection on the line a-b, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the line cd, Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a cross-section on the line ef, Fig. 2.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each figure.

I have illustrated my invention in connection with binder machines, but it will of course be understood that same may be applied to aprons, belts, canvas, or conveyers used in connection with different kinds of machinery. It is well known that if the conveyer or canvas on a binder machine is my object to maintain the canvas or conveyer at the required tautness, and yet reduce to a minimum the draft of the machine, and so produce a well-shaped bundle or gavel. Dew or rain will shrink the conveyer or belt used on binder machines, and therefore it is the usual practice to loosen up the belt or conveyer before the binder machine can be worked with advantage, thus reducing the draft. In case the canvas or conveyer should be exposed to the sun, it is of course dried out and expands, thus allowing too much play therein and preventing the forming of a well-shaped bundle or gavel. Now my means used in connection with the conveyer or canvas is automatic in its action; that is to say, if the temperature causes the canvas or conveyer to contract, the means used therewith will immediately allow the necessary expansion thereof, but yet maintain the required tautness. Should the conveyer or canvas expand from any cause what ever, the means used therewith will immediately contract same by taking up the slack caused by said expansion but yet maintain the necessary tautness.

According to my preferred form of construction, A is the divided apron, belt, canvas or conveyer, hereinafter called the divided member, which passes around the rollers B and C mounted in any suitable frame D, one side only of which is shown, E is the usual upper conveyer, belt or apron which will be similarly constructed to the divided member A. The roller F is preferably hollow and each end is closed by a disk f and f in which has bearing the stubshafts G. One end of the divided member A is preferably wrapped a couple of times around the roller F and its other end is wrap ed one or more times around the rollers 1 and C. The spindle I has bearing within the rollers B and C by means of the disks 2' which close end of same. Mounted within these rollers are springs designed to operate as hereinafter mentioned. The description of the method of attaching one of these springs in place in connection with the spindle I and its associated roller will do for both. Mounted within the roller B and around the spindle I is a s ring J one end of which is secured at 7' to t e spindle I, and its other end is suitably secured to the roller B According to the construction shown for this purpose, the roller 13 is provided with a slot at at one end thereof and through which passes the end 6 of the spring J which is bent over as shown and soldered if desired to the outside of said roller or otherwise secured thereto. The spring J controlling the action of the roller is held in the position shown. Upon inspecting Fig. 2 it will be seen that the action of the springs J and J is such as to exert force so as to wind the divided member A around the rollers B and C In order to couple the rollers F, B and C together, I pass through the outer ends of the s indle I screws 0 and 0 provided with t readed ends which screw into internally-threaded holes formed in the stub-shafts G. By means of these parts it will be understood that the rollers B and C will be held parallel to the roller F, and that the space separating the rollers B and C from the roller F'can be easily regulated thereby. In order to normally prevent the movement of the roller F, I provide any suitable means. According to the construction shown for this purpose, I provide blocks 2 within the roller F and suitably secure same thereto, as by screws 3. The stub-shafts G extend through said blocks and are provided with T-shaped heads 4 which rest in the correspondingly-sha ed bedway 5 formed in said blocks. By coup ing the stubshafts G with the spindle I by means of the screws 0 and 0 it will be understood that the roller F, when the T-shaped heads 4 of the stubshafts G rest in the bedway 5 of the blocks 2, is normally prevented from turning. It will be understood from the drawings that the springs J and J are free to act to take up all looseness in the divided member A, and to permit of the necessary movement of the rollers B and G to provide the necessary additional amount of the divided member A when necessary.

Should it be necessary to increase the tension on the springs J and J the screw 8 hereinafter particularly described, is removed from the device, and then the stub-shafts G are pushed inward far enough to move their heads A out of the bedway 5 formed in the blocks 2, thus unlocking the roller F and permitting same to be turned so as to wind therearound the necessary amount of the divided member A, thus increasing the tension on the springs J and J It will of course be understood that where the heads of the screws O and 0 rest in the spindle I, there is a certain amoimt of. play so as to permit of the necessary movement of these screws during the in and out movements of the stub-shafts G. So soon as the necessary tension has been given to the springs J and J the pressure is removed from the stub-shafts G and by the springs hereinafter described the same are moved outward so that when the roller F is turned the necessary amount, their heads 4 will engage with the bedways 5: The screw 8 is then placed in position. From the foregoing, it will be understood that should it be necessary to decrease the tension on the springs J and J the pin 8 will be removed, and the roller F will be unlocked as before described by disengaging the stub-shafts G therefrom, and the said roller turned so as to unwind therefrom the necessary amount of the divided member A; after this, the roller F is locked in position and the pin 8 replaced. It will be understood by one skilled in this art that it will be necessary to hold the stub-shafts G in their inner position during the manipulation of the roller F: A convenient way of holding the stub-shafts G inward, is by means of a person at each side of the divided member A. As it will be seen from the drawings, the stub-shafts G have freedom of movement in the blocks 2 and the disksf. During the operation of my device, it will be understood that the roller F does not normally rotate. There is of course a stub-shaft G at each end of the roller F, but I. have only illustrated the construction of one of these stub-shafts. Surrounding the stubshafts G, and between the disks closing the end of the roller F, and the blocks 2, are coilsprings 6. By means of the pins 7 in the stub-shafts G, it will be understood that the springs 6 are compressed when the roller F is being unlocked, and that the release of pressure upon said stub-shafts will permit said springs to move said stub-shafts back to normal position.

I provide the rollers B and C in order that I may couple these rollers to the roller F midway of the width of the conveyer in order to prevent said rollers from sagging at this point or being pulled farther apart thereat than elsewhere. According to the construction shown for this purpose, I pass a screw 8 through the roller F and between the inner ends of the rollers B and C so that its threaded end may screw into the threaded hole 9 formed in the block 10, resting in the inner ends of the rollers B and C This block is recessed or hollow as shown at 11 so as to provide for the necessary movement of the screw 8. By means of disks 12 secured to the spindle I and on each side of the block 10, same is held in position. Then using this coupling means, it will be understood. why it is necessary to provide the rollers B and G In connection with the use of this coupling-device it will also be necessary that each end of the divided member A be provided with slits 3 and 14 for the required distance, in order to permit the rollers F, B and G performing their function. The ends of the member A may be wound around the rollers comprising this device, the same way in which an ordinary window-blind or awning is wound around its associated roller.

The rollers F, B and C will preferably be made of metal, and it will of course be understood that the ends of the divided member A may be suitably attached thereto. The divided member A will be operated in the direction indicated by arrow.

By one skilled in this art it will be understood that the parts composing the locking means for the roller F will be so proportioned and constructed that they may have the necessary movement to ermit of the unlocking and locking of the roler F.

It will be clear to one skilled in this art, that my invention may be applied in many different forms without departing from the spirit thereof, and consequently, I hereby claim that I may make many changes therein without going outside of the scope of the apended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. The combination with an apron, belt, canvas or conveyer, of means acting under the influence of a torsional force and circulating with said apron, belt, canvas or conveyer so as to automatically take up the slack therein or permit of the necessary expansion thereof.

2. The combination with a divided apron, belt, canvas or conveyer, of means acting un der the influence of a torsional force and yieldingly connecting the ends together in such a manner as to automatically take up the slack therein or permit of the necessary expansion thereof.

3. The combination with a divided apron, belt, canvas or conveyer, of adjustable means acting under the influence of a torsional force and yieldingly connecting the ends together in such a manner as to automatically take up the slack therein or permit of the necessary expansion thereof.

4. The combination with a divided apron, belt, canvas or conveyer, of a member to which one end of same is connected; a second member; a spring acting under the influence of torsional force, controlling movement of said second member, and means for connect ing said members together in such a manner as to permit of the slack in said apron, canvas, conveyer or belt being taken up or per mit of the necessary expansion of same.

5. The combination with a divided apron, belt, canvas or conveyer, of a member to which one end of same is connected; a rotatable member; a spring acting under the influence of torsional force controlling axial movement of said rotatable member; means for connecting said members together in such a manner as to permit of the adjusting movement of said first-mentioned member so as to decrease or increase the torsional force exerted by said spring upon said rotatable member.

6. The combination with an apron, belt, canvas, or conveyer, of means circulating therewith, and a spring acting under the influence of torsional force and controlling axial movement of said means, which, being so attached or connected to said canvas, belt, apron, or conveyer automatically takes up the slack therein or permits of the necesssary expansion thereof.

7. The combination with a divided apron, belt, canvas or conveyer, of a normally nonrotating roller to which one end of same is connected; stub-shafts loosely mounted in the ends of said roller and projecting therebeyond; means for locking and unlocking said stub-shafts to and from said roller; a spring-controller'l roller to which the other end of said divided apron, belt, canvas or conveyer is yieldingly secured; a spindle within said roller and projecting therebeyond at each end thereof, and means connecting said spindle at each end thereof to said stub-shafts in such a manner as to per-- mit of the slack in said apron, belt, canvas or conveyer being taken up or permit of the necessary expansion of same through the movement of said spring-controlled roller.

8. The combination with a divided apron, canvas, belt, or conveyer, of a normally nonrotating roller to which one end of same .is connected; stub-shafts loosely mounted in the ends of said roller and projecting tlierebeyond; springcontrolled means for locking and unlocking said stub-shafts to and from said roller a spring-controlled roller to which the other end of said divided apron, canvas, belt, or conveyer is yieldingly secured; a spindle mounted within said roller and projecting therebeyond at each end thereof; a spring within said roller having one end attached to said spindle and its other end attached to said roller; screws connecting said spindle at each end thereof to said stubshafts so as to couple said rollers together and prevent rotation of said first-mentioned roller; said second1nentioned roller being free to turn on its spindle in order to permit of the necessary expansion and contraction. of said apron, canvas, conveyer or belt.

9. The combination with a divided apron, canvas, belt,.or conveyer, of a normally nonrotating roller to which one end of same is connected; stub-shafts loosely mounted in the ends of said roller and projecting therebeyond and provided with T-shaped heads; disks closing the end of said roller through which said stub-shafts pass; blocks secured within said roller and provided with bedways in which normally rest the T-shaped head of said stubshafts; a spring surrounding said stub-shafts and between said blocks and said disks and compressible through the inward movement of said stubshafts; a spring-controlled roller to which the other end of said divided apron, canvas, belt, or conveyer is yieldingly secured; a spindle mounted within said roller and projecting therebeyond at each end thereof; a spring within said roller having one end attached to said spindle and its other end attached to ICC IIO

said roller; screws connecting said spindle at each end thereof to said stub-shafts so as to couple said rollers together and prevent rota- -tion of said first-mentioned roller; said second-mentioned roller being free to turn on its spindle in order to permit of the necessary expansion and contraction of said apron, can vas, conveyer or belt.

10. The combinationwith a divided apron, canvas, conveyer or belt, and a normallynonrotating roller around which same-is wound, of a spring-controlled roller around which the other end of said apron, canvas, conveyer or belt is wound, and means for connecting or coupling said rollers together, so as to permit of the necessary movement of said second-mentioned roller so as to provide for the necessary expansion and contraction of said apron, canvas, conveyer or belt.

11. The combination with a divided apron, canvas, conveyer or belt and a normally nonrotating roller around which same is wound, of a spring-controlled roller around which the other end of said apron, canvas, conveyer or belt is wound; means for connecting or coupling said rollers together, so as to permit of the necessary movement of said second-mentioned roller so as to provide for the necessary expansion and contraction of said apron, canvas, conveyer or belt; and means for permitting of the movement of said first mentioned roller so as to decrease or increase the action of said spring-controlled roller.

12. The combination with a divided apron, canvas, conveyer or belt, of a normally-rotating roller to which one end of same is connected a spring-controlled roller to which the other end of same is yieldingly secured; means for connecting said rollers together at their ends in such a manner as to permit of the slack in said apron, canvas, conveyer or belt being taken up or permit of the neces sary expansion of same through the movement of said spring-controlled roller, and means for coupling said rollers together midway their length so as to prevent sagging of same.

13. The combination with a divided apron, canvas, conveyer or belt, of a normally nonrotating roller to which one end of same is connected; two spring-controlled rollers to which the other end of same is yieldingly secured; a spindle common to both of said spring-controlled rollers; means for connecting the ends of said spindle which projects beyond the ends of said spring-controlled rollers to said normally non-rotating roller, and means for coupling said normally nonrotating roller and said spring-controlled rollers together.

14. The combination with a divided apron, canvas, conveyer or belt, of a normally nonrotating roller to which one end of same is connected; two spring-controlled rollers to which the other end of same is yieldingly secured; a spindle common to both of said spring-controlled rollers and extending beyond the ends thereof; stub-shafts held in the ends of said normally non-rotating roller and projecting therebeyond; means for locking and unlocking said stub-shafts to and from said normally non-rotating roller; screws coupling the ends of said stub-shafts to the ends of said spindle; springs secured at one end to said spindle and at the other end to said spring-controlled rollers; a block held in the inner ends of said spring-controlled rollers, and a screw held in said normally non-rotating roller and threading into said block.-

15. The combination with an apron, belt, canvas or conveyer, of a spring acting under the influence of torsional force and circulating therewith, and means whereby the spring is attached or connected to said canvas, belt, apron, or conveyer in such a manner as to automatically take up the slack therein or permit of the necessary expansion thereof.

Intestimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE EDGAR CLARKE. l/Vitnesses:

L. G. SHARPE, F. MoDERMoTT. 

